Great British Bake Off inspires millions to bake for charity

The Great British Bake Off has inspired millions of people to bake for charity, generating huge sums of money for good causes.

Research published today by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) found that bake sales in Great Britain helped raise an estimated £185 million for charities last year.

It also found that the popular show has encouraged a nation of amateur bakers to put the fun into fundraising by inspiring nearly 6 million to take part in charity bake sales.

A public opinion poll carried out by Populus on behalf of CAF found:

In the past 12 months almost four million people in Great Britain have baked for charity (8%), while nearly 15 million have bought food from a charity bake sale (30%)

People spent £12 in the last year on average in fundraising bake sales.

Baking for charity is most popular among 25 to 34 year olds with 13% of them having baked for a good cause in the past 12 months.

People living in Yorkshire and Humber are most likely to have made a purchase in a charity bake sale in the past year, with 45% of people living there having done so. This compares with 21 per cent of people in Scotland and Eastern England.

Most people (63%) agree that raising money for charity is a good reason to do something they enjoy while one in five people (20%) even agree that cake tastes better when it has been baked for a good cause.

Charities across the UK have benefited from the efforts of amateur bakers. In 2014 the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning by Macmillan Cancer Support raised a record breaking £25m while bake sales by Marie Curie Cancer Care, Great Ormond Street Hospital, children’s medical research charity Sparks and Help For Heroes also raised substantial sums.

CAF helps people to give to charity and provides services that support charities. Chief Executive John Low said:

“It is great to see that the success of Great British Bake Off has not only whipped up enthusiasm for baking but that so many people are folding in the opportunity to ‘self-raise’ money for charities.”

“As well as being a nation with a sweet tooth, we have a proud track record of supporting good causes. Through participation in bake sales and bake-offs, the Great British public have once again revealed their huge generosity and support for the work of our Great British charities.”

“Raising money for an amazing charity is a great reason to do something you enjoy. As well as being a British tradition, baking is proving to be a hugely popular and effective way for people to put some fun and food into their fundraising.”

Notes to Editors

1. The Great British Bake Off is presented by comedians Mel and Sue. The show is a competition to find the Best Amateur Baker in the UK and 12.3m viewers watched the final in 2014 to see Nancy Birtwhistle crowned as the winner. The new series is due to start on BBC One on Wednesday 5 August.
2. Populus interviewed a random sample of 1,031 adults aged 18+ online between 24 and 26 July 2015. Interviews were conducted across Great Britain and the results have been weighted to be representative of all British adults. Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.populus.co.uk.
3. Full polling data available on request.